Right now, anything organic is hot in the food industry. That's one reason that soup making giant Campbell's Soup Company bought the Wolfgang Puck line of organic soups from Country Gourmet Foods. In addition to purchasing the soup line for an "undisclosed sum," Campbell's Soup had to negotiate a licensing agreement with Wolfgang Puck Worldwide to keep using Puck's image on the soup.
Campbell's Soup may have made forays into the organic or natural market with a few products, but according to Advertising Age the brand is really hoping that the Wolfgang Puck line will add some prestige, not to mention get their foot in the door at Whole Foods.
How do you feel about Campbell's Soup owning the Wolfgang Puck line? Do you think they are unfairly buying their way into the organic market, or is this an acceptable tactic?
News agencies all over the country have been reporting the news. Starbucks, the coffee mega giant, is closing around 600 stores!
Most analysts blame it squarely on the company's over-expansion and a slowing economy. Starbucks has opened too many stores too close to each other, and that proximity has hurt the profits considerable. According to the Word of Mouth Blog from the Guardian, 70% of the stores being closed were opened in the last 18 months. Add to that the fact that people just don't have the extra cash to shell out on a luxury latte and Starbucks had a recipe for disaster.
The 600 stores represent about 5% of Starbucks' American stores. No word on whether they'll close any overseas outlets. According to reports, international expansion is apparently, still very much part of the plan.
Apparently, the European mega beer company, InBev, really, really, really wants to buy Anheuser-Busch. After being firmly rejected last Thursday, InBev is preparing to make a hostile takeover bid.
The European beer giant is maneuvering either to remove the AB Board of Directors, or to be able to take its proposal straight to the shareholders. Though Ab came up with some cost cutting plans that would save the company more than $1 billion over the next four years and eventually raise share prices, many analysts believe that shareholders would go with cold hard cash now rather than the possible share price increase in the future.
One commenter on the St. Louis Business Journal article raised the concern that InBev isn't likely to spend the money on being environmentally responsible that AB does. That commenter goes on to ask where the environmentalists are. Does anyone have any more information on that aspect of this that they'd like to share?
You knew it had to happen. Late last week, the Anheuser-Busch board of directors politely yet firmly told InBev that they were fine, thanks.
As reported in Beer Advocate, the response to InBev's offer to buy AB at $65 a share was a polite thanks but no thanks. The board if directors for the beer giant said that even though the $65 per share was over current share price, the offer really undervalued the earnings potential of the brand, as well as other assets the company has and plans they've made to make more money . So basically, InBev's offer wasn't enough.
Not that I can blame them. I don't think any company that's doing as well as Anheuser-Busch wants to be taken over. I personally like the decision. I don't like the thought of mega global companies all buying each other up to form one massive corporation, but that's just me. What do you think?
Here are a few tips on how to save at the grocery store, straight from the grocer's mouth via the New York Times business section. Tom Heinen, owner of the Cleveland-area Heinen's Fine Foods chain, gives us the dirt. This is a recap:
1) DIY everything is not always your best bet. Sometimes it can be cheaper to buy certain pre-washed, pre-cut or otherwise pre-prepared items, because the factory that makes them probably wastes less lettuce/pepper/carrot than you would.
2) Look for local "artisan deals," like Wisconsin cheddar instead of the imported New Zealand kind, or locally grown radishes. If your grocery doesn't have good local deals, ask why not. Whole Foods does.
3) In fact, ask tons of questions of store employees. What's the best deal this week? What did you buy for your own kitchen today? I'm guessing this wouldn't work too well at your local Supervalu. Try it, and let me know!
Despite the recession, people are buying Jelly Bellys like never before, reports the New York Times. Why? Because they blow other jelly beans out of the water in terms of taste, consumers say. And, as we've already seen, consumers are loathe to give up their little treats in the middle of stressful financial times.
While other candy companies are experiencing flat sales, the Jelly Belly Candy Company is producing 300,000 pounds of beans a day and rising. Sales are up 25 percent since 2006, for a total of $160 million a year. The company continues to expand its reach, with niche products like the "every flavor beans" from Harry Potter (try the dirt, stay away from the ear wax), the JBz, which are like flavored M&Ms, and electrolyte-infused sports beans.
Some marketers wonder if Jelly Bellys increased availability in stores like Wal-Mart will kill their appeal with higher end consumers (I remember when the only place I could find them was at a gourmet store). I personally doubt that any amount of snobbery will keep people away from their chocolate pudding- and cinnamon-flavored treats.
I heard about this on Marketplace Morning Report yesterday, and thought it was interesting. Kellogg's is shrinking the box size of several of its brands of cereal. They aren't, however, planning on reducing the price accordingly.
Apple Jacks, Cocoa Krispies, Corn Pops, Froot Loops and Honey Smacks will all be about two and a half ounces lighter starting this month. According to the LATimes, the effective price increase is intended to offset rising production costs. The cereal maker wouldn't say of they have plans for similar treatment of other cereals, but I wouldn't be surprised.
I totally understand that prices on everything are going up and that companies have to pass that on to the consumer. I'm just amused by the clever ways in which companies accomplish that.
Have you heard of "falsies"? They're the latest news in the beer drinking world. Falsies are pint glasses that have an extra thick bottom, so they look like a pint but actually only hold about 14 ounces (rather than the 16 ounces that a pint should have).
The Wall Street Journal did a piece on deceptive beer pours last week about this issue, and a lot of people are up in arms about it. I can't say that I blame them. If a restaurant or bar needs to raise prices, that's fair: most of us know by now about the hops shortage and fuel prices that are driving up the cost of beer. However, I draw the line at trying to cheat people out of beer.
Some establishments have unapologetically switched to 14 ounce glasses. That's also fine, as long as you inform your customers of that practice. I'm all for turning a profit, but businesses that cheat their customers are the lowest of the low in my book. Next time you're ordering a pint, make sure you're getting what you paid for.
A festival of scrapes/green garlic - the flower shoots of the garlic bulb - featuring green garlic dip, green garlic souffle, penne with green garlic and pancetta, chicken with green garlic aioli. Lots of recipes!
Picking the food for your same-sex wedding reception? A lot like picking the food for your heterosexual wedding reception. Who would have guessed?
The White Lily flour plant is moving from Knoxville to the midwest after 125 years; Southern bakers are freaking out that their biscuits won't ever be the same.
The Minimalist makes paletas, Mexican-style popsicles, with the adorable mini-Minimalist.
Eric Asimov discusses the brunello di Montalcino scandal, wherein unapproved grapes went into the wine.
David Karp, the Fruit Detective, talks apricots. Try the ultra-sweet CandyCot.
The breakfast cereal giant will be promoting (healthy) "eating and physical fitness for families," as well as putting the MyPyramid icon on cereal boxes. They'll also be launching L.A.U.N.C.H. (learning and understanding nutrition choices & health) next fall in elementary and middle schools.
What all this means is hard to say. I couldn't find out what L.A.U.N.C.H. will actually do, or how Kellogg's will actually encourage healthy eating. But the cereal maker did get its start as a maker of (what it considered) health food, and the company does still claim a strong theme of health and wellness in its products. So what do you think: will Kellogg's really do anything or is this a marketing gimmick?
I've gathered over time that France is extremely wary of letting in big name, globally available products. Apparently they don't like Coca Cola, and now the Ministry of Health is giving Red Bull a hard time.
It's only been recently that Red Bull was allowed to be sold in France at all. The energy drink maker had to remove taurine, because the health ministry claims that long term effects of the chemical are unknown. So now Red Bull is allowed in France, but it's still on pretty shaky ground. This article in Flexnews makes it pretty clear that French health officials are looking for any excuse to ban sales of Red Bull.
Apparently taurine, in and of itself isn't really a problem. However, there's a lot of questions that come up when it's combined with caffeine and/or alcohol. Are French officials right to try and get rid of the energy drink? That's a tough question. What's your take on this?
A black watermelon fetched $6,100 at a Japanese auction on Friday, making it one of the most expensive melons ever sold.
The 17-pound black-skinned "Densuke" watermelon drew the unusually high price or its rare color. It is said to have an extraordinarily delicate taste and perfume. The purchase came on the heels of another record fruit auction - a pair of cantaloupes went for $23,500 last month.
In Japan, where specially cultivated "gift fruits" are given as presents and tokens of respect, melons usually retail for upwards of $100. These special fruits are grown in air-conditioned greenhouses lined with rich soil. Growers only allow three melons to grow on each plant, and when the baby melons are the size of a fist, two are chopped off to allow the best one to suck all the nourishment from the vine. The "perfect" melon is then wrapped in fine tissue papers and sold in a carved wooden box. A gift pear can cost $40, 10 ounces of cultivated winter cherries might sell for $400.
Yes, there are regular fruits too. A conventionally grown melon might retail for $5.
Well, it's official. I've been hearing rumors about this for a week or so, but now I know it's real. Belgian beer giant InBev has made an offer to buy American beer giant Anheuser-Busch.
InBev is offering $65 per share in their unsolicited bid. RealBeer.com reports that the Anheuser-Busch board of directors is carefully weighing all the options.
It's no secret that I'm a beer snob. While I would drink Budweiser if it were the only beverage being served, it's not my first, second, third, or fourth choice. However, it is an American institution. I'm not sure how I feel about that. On one hand, being taken over by a Belgian company could do wonders for the quality of the beer. On the other hand, Anheuser-Busch has played historically significant roles in American beer culture. Then again, InBev may decide to take a hands-off approach and simply own the company from a distance. How do you feel about InBev's offer to buy Anheuser-Busch?
Strawberry Shortcake, the artificial strawberry-scented ragamuffin of my 80s girlhood, has gotten a makeover. The new Strawberry Shortcake loses the bloomer in favor of mini skirts or strawberry print capris for a look that's less Raggedy Ann, more a less risque Bratz doll. She even packs a cellphone.
But most importantly, the new Strawberry Shortcake and Friends focuses on fruit, not dessert. Old Strawberry Shortcake lived in a shortcake. Now she lives in a strawberry. Owner American Greetings Properties says they're "downplaying" characters that don't stick to the fruit theme as well. What's going to happen to Angel Cake, Ginger Snap and Banana Candy? Is this like the time they Sesame Street decided to make Cookie Monster say "cookies are a sometimes food?" Guess nobody wants to be caught getting kids hooked on sweets in the middle of an obesity crisis.
Back in high school, I loved woot -- a site that offers a great deal on one item of technology per day. The idea of selling selected items for low prices has really caught on, and now I subscribe to a tons of these sites (especially fashion ones, which are amazing).
I finally learned about a site like this for foodies, and I'm so excited to see what deals they plan to offer. The site is called OneFoodieGoodie, and they sell one item (in limited supply) every 24 hours. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out how to view past goodies, so it's hard to say what type of items the site typically features. Today, they're selling travel salt and pepper shakers, which are cute but definitely not necessary for someone like me.
Do any of you use this site regularly? What do you think?
Apparently, the European mega beer company, InBev, really, really, really wants to buy Anheuser-Busch. After being firmly rejected last Thursday, InBev is 
In an effort to help you 
I've gathered over time that France is extremely wary of letting in big name, globally available products. Apparently they don't like Coca Cola, and now the Ministry of Health is giving Red Bull a hard time.
A black 
Strawberry Shortcake, the artificial strawberry-scented ragamuffin of my 80s girlhood, has gotten a makeover. The new Strawberry Shortcake loses the bloomer in favor of mini skirts or strawberry print capris for a look that's less Raggedy Ann, more a less risque Bratz doll. She even packs a cellphone. 
Back in high school, I loved 
America's Most Hated Foods
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